The bodybuilding training follows both somatic and mental patterns, allowing both physical and psychological development of the person practicing it.
Just like in any other sport, there are a few important principles to pay attention to, such as.
1. The principle of the interdependence of training, nutrition, and recovery. It implies maintaining a dynamic balance between the three mentioned components throughout the training period. For example, for a newcomer, the most important issue is the training itself, but as the training evolves, nutrition gains significance as opposed to training.
2. The principle of intense effort. In order to explain this principle, it is very important to take into account the way the body responds to effort. When a muscle works, the body has the tendency to irrigate that muscle more than the other muscles, in order to ensure enough energy for that muscle to sustain the required effort. When the muscle stops working, the body stops pumping the supplementary amount of oxygen. In order to make the training efficient, it is better to work out a lot (many repetitions) using light weights, with short breaks between exercises and series. This way, the muscles will be oxygenated more than when working with greater weights, for a short period of time and with many breaks.
3. The principle of individualization. In bodybuilding, the results depend on the ability of the body to sustain the effort and to recover after it, on the bone structure and so on. With so many variables, there are no universal recipes to follow. The training program and the food ratio should be established for each individual separately, depending on strength, body weight and desired results.
4. The principle of continuity. A bodybuilder’s training must be continuous, otherwise the evolution will stop or even worse, the acquired results will fade away.
5. The accessibility principle. Exercising should follow a rational succession, respecting the following rules: from easy to difficult, from simple to complex, from known to unknown. It is best to begin with simple, basic exercises, using small weights. In time, as one develops strength and coordination, more intense exercises, with heavier loads and more complex execution patterns can be performed. Ignoring this principle can favor accidents or stop the muscle development.
6. The principle of conscious participation. This principle recommends that efforts be made to establish plausible and feasible objectives. This way, the practitioner will be motivated to work out correctly, to maintain his concentration and to make constant efforts to attain the established objectives.
7. The principle of organization. For progress to be achieved, a thorough organization of the efforts made is vital. Instead of working out like crazy, the practitioner should decide what muscle groups are more important and focus the exercises on those groups. This way, results will be achieved faster and with less effort.
Because of its simple movements, the adaptability of the effort to the individual, and the incredible results it leads to, bodybuilding is one of the most accessible sports for men and women alike.